Nobody's Fool

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Nobody's Fool

R

1994

1h 50m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Donald "Sully" Sullivan (Paul Newman) is an expert at avoiding adult responsibilities. At 60, he divides all his time between a local bar and the occasional construction job. When his estranged son, Peter (Dylan Walsh), arrives in town, bringing with him a son of his own and a sob story about his failed marriage, Sully finds himself assuming the roles of both father and grandfather. After a life of unchecked self-indulgence, he wonders if he is up to the task.

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Critics Consensus

It's solidly directed by Robert Benton and stacked with fine performances from an impressive cast, but above all, Nobody's Fool is a showcase for some of Paul Newman's best late-period work.

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Michael Sragow

The New Yorker

10/29/2013

The movie is both a star vehicle and an ensemble piece; the other actors revolve around Newman yet give off more than just his reflected light.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

10/29/2013

3/4

We love to see our movie gods play flawed souls, especially a god with a face that looks like one on a Roman coin.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

10/29/2013

Moviegoing holds few pleasures greater than watching an established star completely inhabit a role that exactly suits his personality and abilities. And seeing Paul Newman in Nobody's Fool defines that pleasure.

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Kevin Craft

PopMatters

Apr 1

In Nobody’s Fool, Paul Newman turns in one of his most purely enjoyable performances as an absentee father from a small town navigating the winter of his life.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jan 30

3.5/4

...a deliberate, gentle endeavor that remains entirely watchable for the duration of its running time...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

12/23/2022

3/4

Paul Newman had already delivered so many terrific turns in his lifetime that he hardly needed to continue past retirement age to cement his legendary status. Yet here he's found giving one of the best performances of his career.

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Sapere A

@RT77933623 Apr 4

As warm and wonderful as a movie can be.

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Thomas S.

@ttonetom Dec 2

Excellent. One of my wife and mine favorite films

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Marcus T

@MarcusT12 Jun 4

I watched about half of this and then lost interest. None of the characters grabbed me or made me care about them. Paul Newman's character, the reason I chose the movie, was on screen most of the time and wasn't a particularly likeable character. It was going nowhere fast so I turned it off.

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Nils B

@RT08823408 03/05/2025

An absolutely charming film. A slice of life story done perfectly with great script, casting, directing, and more. One of my most favourite movies of all time.

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Brad S. R

@RT07389644 02/25/2025

One of the best small town movies ever made.

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Peter W

@RT12077588 12/31/2022

Overall, what begins as a slow-paced story about an old man with a limp soon transforms into something far greater than I could have ever expected. It's a touching story about family, friendships and loyalty. Paul Newman once again delivers a fun, likeable and charming character to the screen. While slow to begin with, the film delivers a strong payoff and reward by the third act. There are moments where I generally laughed out loud and other moments that felt gripping, dramatic and heartfelt. In the end, it's just a fun and lovable film that packs great rewards for those who invest in it.

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Robert Benton

Director

Paul Newman

Sully

Jessica Tandy

Miss Beryl

Melanie Griffith

Toby Roebuck

Bruce Willis

Carl Roebuck

Dylan Walsh

Peter

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Synopsis

Donald "Sully" Sullivan (Paul Newman) is an expert at avoiding adult responsibilities. At 60, he divides all his time between a local bar and the occasional construction job. When his estranged son, Peter (Dylan Walsh), arrives in town, bringing with him a son of his own and a sob story about his failed marriage, Sully finds himself assuming the roles of both father and grandfather. After a life of unchecked self-indulgence, he wonders if he is up to the task.

Director: Robert Benton
Producer: Scott Rudin, Arlene Donovan
Screenwriter: Richard Russo, Robert Benton
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Capella International, Cinehaus
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.3M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo